Bistable retractable buttons

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/564,017, filedSep. 27, 2017 and titled “Bistable Retractable Buttons,” the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to input devices, and in particular,to input devices with retractable actuation members.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices can receive user input from a keyboard, buttons, orother input devices with movable components. For example, keyboards mayinclude keys with keycaps that move when pressed by a user, and themotion of the keycap may trigger a connected device to perform someaction or function. As another example, handheld electronic devices suchas smartphones may include buttons with actuation members that move whenpressed and cause the electronic device to perform some action orfunction. Due to the movement of keycaps or other actuation members,input devices with movable components may be larger than input devicesthat lack movable components.

SUMMARY

An electronic device may include an enclosure and a keyboard positionedwithin the enclosure. The keyboard may include a substrate, and a keymechanism comprising a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported bythe keycap support mechanism, a ferromagnetic component attached to thekeycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet system.The selectively magnetizable magnet system includes a magnetizablematerial, and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetizethe magnetizable material. The keycap may be bistable (that is, capableof being held in either of two positions without external force); theposition of the keycap may vary as the magnetizable material ismagnetized or demagnetized.

The keycap support mechanism may be a butterfly hinge comprising a firstarm and a second arm coupled to the first arm by a living hinge. Theferromagnetic component may be attached to one of the first arm or thesecond arm. The enclosure may include a base portion housing thekeyboard, and a display portion having a display housed therein. Thedisplay portion may be flexibly coupled to the base portion to enablethe display portion to rotate between a closed position and an openposition. The magnetizable material may be demagnetized when the displayportion is in the open position, thereby allowing the keycap to movebetween an extended position and a retracted position, and themagnetizable material may be magnetized when the display portion is inthe closed position, thereby magnetically maintaining the keycap in theretracted position. The key mechanism may further include a collapsibledome below the keycap and configured to produce an actuation signal whenthe keycap is in the retracted position. The electronic device may beconfigured to not perform a function associated with the key mechanismin response to the actuation signal when the magnetizable material ismagnetized and the keycap is maintained in the retracted position. Whenthe magnetizable material is magnetized, the magnetizable material mayproduce a persistent magnetic field that is maintained without acontinuous application of electrical power to the coil. The collapsibledome may bias the keycap toward the extended position. The selectivelymagnetizable magnet system may further include first and second polepieces positioned at opposite ends of the magnetizable material.

When the magnetizable material is magnetized, the magnetizable materialmay produce a persistent magnetic field that is maintained without acontinuous application of electrical power to the coil. The persistentmagnetic field may be a first persistent magnetic field having a firstpolarity, the magnetizable material may be magnetizable to produce, in afirst mode, the first persistent magnetic field and, in a second mode, asecond persistent magnetic field having a second polarity opposite thefirst polarity, and the ferromagnetic component may be a permanentmagnet having a third persistent magnetic field that is attracted to thefirst persistent magnetic field and repelled from the second persistentmagnetic field.

The ferromagnetic component may be at least partially encapsulated inthe keycap support mechanism. The selectively magnetizable magnet systemmay be positioned below the ferromagnetic component.

The key mechanism may be a first key mechanism, and the keyboard mayfurther include a second key mechanism. The second key mechanism mayinclude an additional keycap, an additional keycap support mechanismmovably supporting the additional keycap relative to the substrate, anadditional ferromagnetic component attached to the additional keycapsupport mechanism, and an additional selectively magnetizable magnetsystem. The additional selectively magnetizable magnet system mayinclude an additional magnetizable material, and an additional coilconfigured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the additionalmagnetizable material.

An input device may include a support structure, an actuation membermovable between an extended position with respect to the supportstructure and a retracted position with respect to the supportstructure, and a support mechanism supporting the actuation member abovethe support structure. The input device may also include a ferromagneticmaterial attached to the support mechanism and a selectivelymagnetizable magnet system. The selectively magnetizable magnet systemmay be configured to, in a first mode, produce a persistent magneticfield that magnetically attracts the ferromagnetic material, therebyretracting the actuation member to the retracted position. In a secondmode, the selectively magnetizable magnet system may allow the actuationmember to move from the retracted position to the extended position.

The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizablematerial, and a coil configured to, in the first mode, magnetize themagnetizable material to produce the persistent magnetic field. The coilmay be configured to, in the second mode, substantially demagnetize themagnetizable material. The magnetizable material may be an aluminumnickel cobalt iron material or a chromium cobalt iron material.

The ferromagnetic material may be a permanent magnet, the persistentmagnetic field may be a first persistent magnetic field having a firstpolarity configured to attract the permanent magnet, and the coil may beconfigured to, in the second mode, magnetize the magnetizable materialto produce a second persistent magnetic field configured to repel thepermanent magnet. The first persistent magnetic field and the secondpersistent magnetic fields may be maintained without a continuousapplication of electrical power to the selectively magnetizable magnetsystem.

The input device may further include a collapsible dome configured tobias the actuation member to the extended position, and the collapsibledome may collapse in response to an actuation force applied to theactuation member, thereby closing an electrical circuit to signalactuation of the input device.

An electronic device may include an enclosure, a cover attached to theenclosure and defining an opening, a keycap positioned within theopening, a ferromagnetic component affixed to the keycap, a permanentmagnet below the ferromagnetic component, and a shunt movable between afirst position and a second position relative to the permanent magnet.In the first position, the keycap may be movable between an extendedposition and a retracted position, and in the second position, magneticattraction between the ferromagnetic component and the permanent magnetmay maintain the keycap in the retracted position. In the firstposition, the shunt may be closer to the permanent magnet than in thesecond position.

The electronic device may further include a biasing mechanism configuredto bias the keycap toward an extended position relative to the cover.When the shunt is in the first position, a magnetic attraction betweenthe permanent magnet and the ferromagnetic component may be less than abiasing force of the biasing mechanism. When the shunt is in the secondposition, a magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet and theferromagnetic component may be greater than the biasing force of thebiasing mechanism.

The enclosure may include a base portion housing the keyboard, and adisplay portion housing a display and flexibly coupled to the baseportion to enable the display portion to rotate between a closedposition and an open position. When the display portion is in the openposition, the shunt may be in the first position, and when the displayportion is in the closed position, the shunt may be in the secondposition.

The electronic device may further include an actuator configured to movethe shunt from the second position to the first position in response tothe display portion being moved from the closed position to the openposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an example electronic device.

FIG. 2A depicts a keyboard of the electronic device of FIG. 1 in a firstmode of operation.

FIG. 2B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the keyboard of FIG.2A.

FIG. 2C depicts the keyboard of the electronic device of FIG. 1 in asecond mode of operation.

FIG. 2D depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the keyboard of FIG.2C.

FIG. 3A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of a retractable keymechanism in a first mode of operation.

FIG. 3B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the retractable keymechanism of FIG. 3A in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 3C depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another retractablekey mechanism in a first mode of operation.

FIG. 3D depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the retractable keymechanism of FIG. 3C in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of an example retractable key mechanism.

FIGS. 5A-5B depict first and second examples, respectively, ofselectively magnetizable magnets.

FIG. 6A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another exampleretractable key mechanism in a first mode of operation.

FIG. 6B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the retractable keymechanism of FIG. 6A in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 7A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another exampleretractable key mechanism in a first mode of operation.

FIG. 7B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the exampleretractable key mechanism of FIG. 7A in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 7C depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the exampleretractable key mechanism of FIG. 7A in a third mode of operation.

FIG. 8 depicts a force versus displacement plot for an example keymechanism.

FIG. 9A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another exampleretractable key mechanism in a first mode of operation.

FIG. 9B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the retractable keymechanism of FIG. 9A in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 10A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exampleretractable key mechanism using a piezoelectric actuator in a first modeof operation.

FIG. 10B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the retractable keymechanism of FIG. 10A in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 11A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another exampleretractable key mechanism using a piezoelectric actuator in a first modeof operation.

FIG. 11B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the retractable keymechanism of FIG. 11A in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 12A depicts an example electronic device having a retractable inputdevice.

FIGS. 12B-12C depict partial cross-sectional views of the electronicdevice of FIG. 10A in first and second modes of operation, respectively.

FIGS. 13A-13C depict an example keyboard with retractable key mechanismsin various states of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood thatthe following description is not intended to limit the embodiments toone preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included withinthe spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by theappended claims.

The embodiments herein are generally directed to input devices, such asbuttons and keyboard keys, that include bistable moveable actuationmembers. Due to the movement afforded by these devices, however, theymay be less compact than certain types of non-moving input devices(e.g., touch sensitive surfaces, such as touch sensors or othernonmoving input devices). Accordingly, described herein are bistable,movable input devices that may be maintained in a retracted position incertain modes to reduce the overall size or height of the input device.The moveable actuation members (e.g., input devices) as “bistable”insofar as they may occupy either of two distinct positions (e.g.,extended or retracted) in the absence of any external force exerted onthe actuation members. An actuation member may be held in a retractedposition by a magnet within the embodiment or may be biased to anextended position by a dome, spring or other biasing mechanism if themagnet is demagnetized.

For example, a notebook computer may include a built-in keyboard withmultiple individual movable keys. While the keys may need to be free tomove when the computer is in use (e.g., to allow a user to type), theadditional height requirements of the movable keys leads to a largeroverall device size. Accordingly, described herein are key retractionsystems and methods by which the keys may be retracted when the deviceis being stored (or in other modes). For example, the keys of thekeyboard may include a magnetizable material that can be selectivelymagnetized to either attract or not attract (or repel) a keycap. Whenthe selectively magnetizable material is magnetized to attract thekeycap, the keycap may be held in a retracted state, thus reducing theoverall size and/or height of the keyboard. Otherwise, the keycap mayoccupy an extended position. Further, because the selectivelymagnetizable material may maintain a persistent magnetic field withoutcontinuous electrical input, the keys may be maintained in the retractedstate without a continuous application of electricity, which may beespecially helpful in devices that are configured to operate onbatteries and thus have limited onboard power supplies. Accordingly, thekey may be considered bistable—it may occupy an extended or retractedstate without continuous application of electricity or an externalforce.

Other techniques for magnetically maintaining keycaps (or otheractuation members) in a retracted state are also described. For example,instead of magnetizing and demagnetizing (or reversing the polarity) ofa magnetizable material, a permanent magnet may be movable into aposition in which the keycap is magnetically attracted to the permanentmagnet. When the key is in an operational state, the permanent magnetmay be moved to a different position where the magnetic attraction isreduced and the key is allowed to operate normally. Other key retractionsystems and techniques for selectively retracting keys and otheractuation members are also described herein.

In addition to retracting keyboard keys, the retraction systems andtechniques described herein may also be used for other types of inputdevices. For example, buttons of handheld electronic devices, such assmartphones, may be more easily located and manipulated if they protrudeslightly from the housing. However, protruding buttons may catch or snagon fabric or other materials when stored (e.g., in a pocket, briefcase,purse, etc.), increase the size of the device, and may be prone todamage from impacts or other interference. Accordingly, the conceptsdescribed herein may be incorporated into buttons for handheldelectronic devices, or into other types of input devices in otherelectronic devices.

FIG. 1 depicts an electronic device 100 that may use bistable,retractable key mechanisms as described herein. The electronic device100 is depicted as a notebook computer, though this is merely oneexample electronic device that may incorporate retractable keymechanisms as described herein. Accordingly, the concepts discussedherein may apply equally or by analogy to other electronic devices,including mobile phones (e.g., smartphones), wearable electronic devices(e.g., watches, fitness trackers, biometric sensors), head-mounteddisplays, digital media players (e.g., mp3 players), or the like.

The electronic device 100 includes an enclosure that includes a baseportion 104 and a display portion 102. The display portion 102 mayinclude a cover 106, such as a glass, plastic, ceramic, or othersubstantially transparent material, component, or assembly, attached tothe display portion 102 and covering a display that is housed in thedisplay portion. The display portion 102 may be flexibly coupled to thebase portion 104 to enable the display portion 102 to rotate between aclosed position and an open position. For example, the display portion102 may be coupled to the base portion 104 via one or more hinges,living hinges, or other flexible components. The display portion 102 maybe rotated about a pivot defined by the hinge (or may articulate throughany suitable path) between an open position in which the display isvisible to a user, and a closed position in which the display portion102 is folded against (e.g., substantially parallel to) the base portion104. In the closed position, the display portion 102 may cover akeyboard 108 of the device 100. As described herein, the keys (orkeycaps) of the keyboard 108 may be configured to be magneticallymaintained in a retracted position when the display portion 102 is inthe closed position. This may allow the device 100 (and the base portion104 in particular) to be made thinner, as empty, unused space that wasformerly required to allow for the travel of the individual keys may beeliminated during storage.

The base portion 104 may include a keyboard 108 that includes aplurality of key mechanisms (which may be referred to herein simply as“keys”). The keyboard 108 is configured to receive typing inputs via thekeys. As described herein, the keys may include keycaps or other inputcomponents that are movable relative to a substrate or other basestructure when pressed by a user. The motion or travel of the keycapsmay actuate or otherwise manipulate a switch (e.g., a collapsible domeswitch) that is detectable by the device 100 and that causes the device100 to register a key press. As described herein, the keycaps may beselectively retractable so that in some modes of operation, the keycapsare allowed to move between an extended position and a retractedposition (e.g., to accept typing inputs), and in other modes ofoperation, the keycaps are magnetically maintained in the retractedposition. For example, the device 100 may detect when the displayportion 102 is closed or is being moved towards a closed position (e.g.,with proximity sensors, motion sensors, encoders, or the like), and maycause the retractable keys of the keyboard 108 to be retracted (usingany of the retractable key mechanisms described herein).

The base portion 104 may also include other input regions. For example,the electronic device 100 may include, in the base portion 104, atrackpad 110 that is configured to receive touch and/or force basedinputs, such as taps, swipes, gestures, multi-finger inputs, clicks, orthe like.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate the keyboard 108 in various modes. For example,FIGS. 2A-2B show a perspective and partial cross-sectional view,respectively, of the keyboard 108 in a first operational state in whichthe keycaps of the individual keys are movable between an extendedposition and a retracted position. In this mode, in a rest or unactuatedstate, the individual keys may extend or protrude above a key web 202.By extending above the key web 202, the keys may be tactilelydistinguished from one another by the gap between the protrudingkeycaps, and therefore may be more easily and quickly located by a usersimply by touch. Further, in this mode, the keys may be actuated in aconventional fashion. In particular, a force applied to the keycap maycause the keycap to deflect downwards towards a supporting structure ormember (e.g., a substrate 204) to a retracted position, and somewhereduring or at the end of the downward travel a switch (e.g., acollapsible dome) may be actuated to cause the device 100 to register anactuation of the key.

FIG. 2B shows a partial cross-sectional view of the keyboard 108, viewedalong line A-A in FIG. 2A, showing the position of the keycap 200relative to the key web 202 when the key is in an unactuated or extendedposition. The keycap 200 may be supported by a keycap support mechanism206, which may be any suitable structure or mechanism that movablysupports the keycap 200 relative to a substrate. For example, the keycapsupport mechanism 206 may be a scissor mechanism, a butterfly hinge, orthe like. The keycap support mechanisms shown herein are butterflyhinges, though other keycap support mechanisms may be substituted forthe butterfly hinges.

FIGS. 2C-2D show a perspective and partial cross-sectional view,respectively, of the keyboard 108 in a second operational state in whichthe keycaps of the individual keys are maintained in a retractedposition. For example, as shown in FIG. 2D, which shows a partialcross-sectional view of the keyboard 108 viewed along line B-B in FIG.2C, a top surface of the keycap 200 is substantially flush with a topsurface of the key web 202. (In other cases, the top surface of thekeycap 200 may be below or recessed relative to the top surface of thekey web 202.) The keys of the keyboard 108 may be maintained in theposition shown in FIGS. 2C-2D in various ways and for various purposes.For example, the device 100 may include permanent magnets or selectivelymagnetizable magnet systems that magnetically maintain the keys in theretracted position. As another example, piezoelectric actuators may beused to maintain the keys in the retracted position. The keys may bemaintained in the retracted position, for example, when the device isclosed (e.g., when the display portion 102 is in a closed position).

FIGS. 3A-3B are partial cross-sectional views of an example bistable,retractable key mechanism 301 that uses a selectively magnetizablemagnet system to allow the key mechanism to operate in a normal (e.g.,extended) mode and a retracted mode, as described herein. The keymechanism 301 includes a keycap 300 that is movably supported above asubstrate 303 by a keycap support mechanism 302 (which may be pivotallycoupled to a support body 309, FIG. 4, which may in turn be attached tothe substrate 303).

The keycap support mechanism 302 is represented in FIGS. 3A-3B as abutterfly hinge (e.g., a hinge with two wings that are flexibly coupledto one another via a living hinge or gear hinge), though other keycapsupport mechanisms may also be used, such as a scissor mechanism. FIGS.3C-3D show an example retractable key mechanism that uses a scissormechanism. The keycap support mechanism 302 includes first and secondarms 304, 306 that pivot with respect to one another to allow the keycap300 to be moved downwards in response to an actuation force.

The keycap 300 may be biased towards an extended position (e.g., anunactuated position) by a biasing mechanism. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B,the biasing mechanism is a collapsible dome 310, though other biasingmechanisms may be used instead of or in addition to the collapsible dome310, such as springs (e.g., coil springs, flat springs, etc.), opposingmagnets, or the like.

The key mechanism may also include a ferromagnetic component 308incorporated with the keycap support mechanism 302 or the keycap 300,and positioned relative to a selectively magnetizable magnet system 314so that the selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 can magneticallyinteract with the ferromagnetic component 308. In particular, theselectively magnetizable magnet system 314 may be configured tomagnetically attract the ferromagnetic component 308 to retract thekeycap 300 (e.g., draw the keycap 300 downward as shown in FIG. 3B).Accordingly, the ferromagnetic component 308 may be attached to orincorporated with any component of the key mechanism or positioned atany location that will pull the keycap 300 downward when theferromagnetic component 308 is subjected to a magnetic field by theselectively magnetizable magnet system. For example, the ferromagneticcomponent 308 may be attached to or incorporated with the keycap 300. Insome cases, the keycap 300 and/or the keycap support mechanism 302 (orany other suitable component of the key mechanism) may be formedpartially or entirely from a ferromagnetic material.

As used herein, the term “ferromagnetic” encompasses materials thatreact strongly to a magnetic field, including soft and hard magneticmaterials. Soft magnetic materials may be affected by an externalmagnetic field but may not be permanently magnetized by such a field andmay not be magnetic in the absence of any such field. Hard magnets,including materials such as ferrite, neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), andsamarium-cobalt (SmCo), are permanent magnets and may themselvesgenerate a magnetic field.

The ferromagnetic component 308 may be formed from any suitable materialthat reacts strongly to a magnetic field. For example, the ferromagneticcomponent 308 may be formed from a magnetic material that is notmagnetized under normal operating conditions (e.g., it does notpropagate a substantial magnetic field), but is attracted to othermagnets. For example, the ferromagnetic component 308 may be steel,iron, cobalt, nickel, an alloy, a soft magnetic material, or the like.In some cases, the ferromagnetic component 308 may be a material thatcan form a permanent magnet (or maintain a persistent magnetic fieldwithout a continuous application of energy), such as a hard magneticmaterial, a ceramic magnet, an aluminum nickel cobalt iron (AlNiCo)magnet, a samarium-cobalt (SmCo) magnet, a ferrite magnet, a neodymiumiron boron (NdFeB) magnet, or any other suitable permanent magnetmaterial. In the latter case, the ferromagnetic component 308 may bemagnetized (e.g., it may be a permanent magnet that produces a magneticfield in the absence of an external influence).

The key mechanism also includes or is associated with a selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 314 that may be switched between variousmodes or states of magnetism. As described herein, the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 314 may include a magnetizable material and acoil. The magnetizable material may have a suitably low coercivity thatthe coil can selectively magnetize the magnetizable material so that themagnetizable material produces a persistent magnetic field. Oncemagnetized (e.g., once the magnetizable material is magnetized toproduce a persistent magnetic field), the coil may demagnetize themagnetizable material (or reverse the polarity or change the strength ofthe original magnetic field).

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the selectively magnetizable magnet system 314is operated in a first mode, the selectively magnetizable magnet system314 may produce no magnetic field (or may produce a repulsive magneticfield or a magnetic field that is not sufficiently strong to retract thekeycap 300 or maintain the keycap 300 in a retracted position). In suchcases, the keycap may be allowed to move between the extended andretracted position, to allow the key to be used to receive inputs from auser. As noted above, the selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 maybe in the first mode when the display portion of an electronic device(e.g., the display portion 102, FIG. 1) is in an open position.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 mayalso be operated in a second mode in which the selectively magnetizablemagnet system 314 produces a persistent magnetic field 321 that attractsthe ferromagnetic component 308. The persistent magnetic field 321 mayhave sufficient strength to overcome the biasing force produced by thebiasing mechanism (e.g., the collapsible dome 310), thereby retractingthe keycap 300 into the retracted position. The persistent magneticfield 321 may also be sufficiently strong to magnetically maintain thekeycap 300 in the retracted position. As noted above, the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 314 may be in the second mode when thedisplay portion of an electronic device (e.g., the display portion 102,FIG. 1) is in a closed position (or when it is being moved into theclosed position), such as when the device is being stored or isotherwise inactive. In some cases, as described herein, the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system of a given key may be in the second mode (andthe keycap therefore retracted) while other keys are not retracted.

FIGS. 3C-3D are partial cross-sectional views of an example bistable,retractable key mechanism 330 that uses a selectively magnetizablemagnet system to allow the key mechanism to operate in a normal (e.g.,extended) mode and a retracted mode, as described herein. The keymechanism 330 includes the keycap 300 and the substrate 303. While aliketo the retractable key mechanism 301 in other respects, the retractablekey mechanism 330 has a scissor mechanism 302 for its keycap supportmechanism instead of a butterfly hinge (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B). Thescissor mechanism 332 may include a first arm 334 and a second arm 336,which are pivotally coupled to one another to movably support the keycap300 relative to the substrate 303.

Similar to the key mechanism 301, a ferromagnetic material may beincorporated with the scissor mechanism 332 to allow the scissormechanism 332 to be magnetically attracted to the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 314 (or magnetically repelled from theselectively magnetizable magnet system 314, depending on theconfiguration of the selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 and theconfiguration of the ferromagnetic material). The ferromagnetic materialmay be a soft magnetic material or a hard magnetic material, and may beincorporated into the scissor mechanism 332 in any suitable way. Forexample, a ferromagnetic component (e.g., a piece of steel, a permanentmagnet, etc.) may be attached to one or both of the arms 334, 336 of thescissor mechanism 332. In such cases, the component may be attached inany suitable way, such as by encapsulating the component in a materialof the arms 334, 336, adhering and/or mechanically engaging thecomponent to an arm, or the like.

As another example, one or both of the arms may be formed partially orentirely of a ferromagnetic material. FIGS. 3C-3D, for example, show ascissor mechanism 332 in which the first arm 334 is formed entirely of aferromagnetic material (e.g., unmagnetized metal, a permanent magnet, orthe like). As described above, when the selectively magnetizable magnetsystem 314 is operated in a first mode (FIG. 3C), the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 314 may produce no magnetic field (or mayproduce a repulsive magnetic field or a magnetic field that is notsufficiently strong to retract the keycap 300 or maintain the keycap 300in a retracted position). In such cases, the keycap may be allowed tomove between the extended and retracted position, to allow the key to beused to receive inputs from a user. As shown in FIG. 3D, the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 314 may also be operated in a second mode inwhich the selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 produces apersistent magnetic field 321 that attracts the ferromagnetic materialof the first arm 334 (which, as shown, may be entirely formed offerromagnetic material).

The second arm 336 may also be formed partially or entirely of aferromagnetic material, which may be the same material or a differentmaterial as that of the first arm 334. For example, the first arm 334may be a permanent magnet having a first polarity of a first strength,and the second arm 336 may be a permanent magnet having a differentpolarity and optionally a different strength. As another example, thefirst arm 334 may be a non-magnetized magnetic material and the secondarm 336 may be a permanent magnet. Other possible configurations arealso contemplated.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the retractable key mechanism 301 of FIGS.3A-3B. As noted, the retractable key mechanism 301 includes a keycap 300that is movably supported above a substrate 303 by a keycap supportmechanism 302 (shown as a butterfly hinge). The keycap support mechanism302 may be pivotally coupled to a support body 309, which is attached(e.g., adhered, heat staked) to an underlying substrate 303 or othersupport structure. In key mechanisms that use other types of keycapsupport mechanisms (e.g., scissor hinges), the support body 309 may beomitted and the support mechanism may be attached to the substrate 303or other support structure directly or in any other suitable manner.

The substrate 303 may be a portion of a support plate that acts as asupport structure or substrate for multiple key mechanisms. For example,the substrate 303 may be a plate that supports all or a group of thekeycaps of a complete keyboard.

In some cases, the substrate 303 is a circuit board (e.g., a printedcircuit board) to which the keycap support mechanism 302 is attached(directly or via the support body 309). The circuit board may alsoinclude electrical traces that are electrically coupled to a collapsibledome (e.g., the dome 310) or other electrical switching component, aswell as other electrical contacts, interconnects, and the like. Theelectrical traces may operate in conjunction with the collapsible dometo produce actuation signals or other detectable phenomena indicatingwhen a key or other actuation member is depressed. For example, when thecollapsible dome is collapsed or deformed, it may produce an actuationsignal that indicates to the device that an input has been received andcauses the device to take an action or perform a function associatedwith the key. The dome 310 may produce the actuation signal, forexample, by closing an electrical circuit between two traces or contactson the circuit board. The action or function that is associated with thekey and performed by the device in response to the actuation signal maybe any suitable action or function, such as a function that is indicatedor suggested by information on the keycap 300. For example, if thekeycap includes a glyph of a letter (e.g., a letter-input function),actuation of that key may cause the device to register the selection ofthat letter, and may cause the letter to be displayed on a display. Ifthe keycap includes a glyph indicating a media control function (e.g., atriangular “play” symbol), actuation of that key may cause the device tobegin playing music. Key functions may be indicated in other ways thankeycap glyphs. For example, information displayed on a display mayindicate what function a particular key will trigger or initiate uponactuation of that key.

Where the keycap support mechanism 302 is coupled to the substrate 303by a support body, the support body may be affixed to the substrate 303via adhesive, heat staking, or the like, and the keycap supportmechanism 302 may attach to the support body. In other cases, the keymechanism 301 includes separate substrates for the electrical paths andfor connecting to the keycap support mechanism. For example, a substrateor other component to (e.g., a metal frame or plate) to which keycapsupport mechanisms are coupled may be above or below a separate circuitlayer to which a dome (or other switching component) may be electricallycoupled.

The keycap support mechanism 302 includes first and second arms 304,306, which may be pivotally coupled to one another. The keycap supportmechanism 302 includes one or more ferromagnetic components 308 attachedto the first arm 304. The ferromagnetic components 308 may be attachedto or integrated with the keycap support mechanism 302 in any suitableway. For example, it may be adhered to the first arm 304, mechanicallyretained to the first arm 304 via clips or other engagement features,fully or partially encapsulated in the material of the first arm 304(e.g., by insert molding), or any other suitable technique. Also, asnoted above, ferromagnetic components may instead be coupled to orotherwise incorporated with the keycap 300 or any other component of thekey mechanism 301. The ferromagnetic component 308 may be located on thefirst arm 304 nearer the substrate than the keycap (or nearer the endthat is proximate the living hinge than the end that is proximate thekeycap), which may exert greater advantage on the first arm 304 for agiven magnetic attraction than locating the ferromagnetic component 308nearer the keycap.

The key mechanism 301 also includes the selectively magnetizable magnetsystem 314 positioned relative to the ferromagnetic component(s) 308.The selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 may include a coil 320, amagnetizable material 318 (separately identified in FIG. 5A, and whichmay be at least partially encircled by the coil 320), and pole pieces316. The magnetizable material 318 may be a material that can beselectively magnetized by the coil 320 to various persistent states ofmagnetism (e.g., various strengths and/or polarities of magnetic field,including substantially no magnetic field). For example, the coil 320may be energized with an electric current (e.g., a DC current) thatproduces a coercing magnetic field. Magnetic domains in the magnetizablematerial 318 may align with the coercing magnetic field, and remainaligned when the electric current is removed and the coercing magneticfield disappears. The magnetized magnetizable material 318 thus remainsmagnetized without continuous application of power to the coil 320, andthe magnetic field produced by the magnetizable material 318 persists(e.g., it produces a persistent magnetic field). The persistent magneticfield induced in the magnetizable material 318 may have a polarity thatattracts the ferromagnetic component(s) 308. For example, if theferromagnetic component(s) 308 include a non-magnetized material, thepersistent magnetic field induced in the magnetizable material 318 maybe of any polarity, as the ferromagnetic component(s) 308 will beattracted to any field. If the ferromagnetic component(s) 308 arepermanent magnets, the persistent magnetic field induced in themagnetizable material 318 may have a polarity that is opposite to thepermanent magnets, or otherwise oriented to attract the permanentmagnets.

In order to demagnetize the magnetizable material 318, the coil 320 maybe energized with another electric current (e.g., an AC current). Thismay cause the magnetic domains in the magnetizable material 318 tobecome misaligned, and may result in the magnetizable material 318having substantially no residual magnetic field, or a field that is weakenough not to interfere with the normal operation of the key mechanism.

The electric currents supplied to the coil 320 may be supplied for anysuitable duration, and having any suitable electrical characteristic(e.g., voltage, current, power, waveform, etc.). In some cases, thecoils are energized for about 100 milliseconds or less, which mayprovide a suitable coercing magnetic field to magnetize or demagnetizethe magnetizable material 318. In some cases, a coil 320 uses about 1millijoules or less of energy per instance of magnetizing ordemagnetizing the magnetizable material 318.

The selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 may also include polepieces 316 that direct or shape the magnetic field of the magnetizablematerial 318. For example, the pole pieces 316, which may be formed of aferritic or ferromagnetic material, may concentrate or direct themagnetic field produced by the magnetizable material to a locationproximate the ferromagnetic components 308 to help increase the strengthof attraction between the magnetizable material 318 and theferromagnetic components 308. In this way, the pole pieces 316 may alsodecrease the required strength of the magnetic field as compared to aselectively magnetizable magnet system 314 that does not include polepieces.

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of the selectively magnetizable magnetsystem 314. The selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 may includethe magnetizable material 318, the coil 320, and the pole pieces 316.The magnetizable material 318 may be any suitable material that can bemagnetized by the coil to produce a persistent magnetic field. Forexample, the magnetizable material 318 may be an aluminum nickel cobaltiron (AlNiCo) magnet, an iron chrome cobalt (FeCrCo) magnet, or anyother suitable material. The magnetizable material 318 may have anysuitable shape, such as a cuboid, a cylinder, or the like.

In some cases, the selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 mayinclude multiple magnetic materials within the coil 320. For example,the selectively magnetizable magnet system 314 may include a firstmagnetic material that can be selectively magnetized and/or demagnetizedby the coil, and a second magnetic material that is less easilymagnetized, and which may not significantly change its magneticproperties when subjected to a coercing field. In such cases, the coil320 may be used to switch the polarity of the first magnetic materialbetween two polarities—one in which the magnetic fields of the first andsecond materials interact such that the selectively magnetizable magnetsystem 314 does not produce a substantial magnetic field, and another inwhich the magnetic fields interact such that the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 314 does produce a magnetic field sufficientto attract the ferromagnetic component 308.

The coil 320 may include multiple turns of a conductive wire, such as acopper wire. The coil 320 may be electrically connected to a powersource that provides a suitable electrical current to selectivelymagnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material 318, as describedherein.

The pole pieces 316 may be attached to or placed proximate the ends ofthe magnetizable material 318, and may concentrate or direct themagnetic flux into a position or orientation that is advantageous forattracting (or in some cases repelling) the ferromagnetic component 308.The pole pieces 316 may be formed from any suitable material, such assteel, iron, or the like.

FIG. 5B shows another example selectively magnetizable magnet system 500that uses a monolithic magnetizable material 502 having a more complexgeometry than a simple cuboid or cylinder. For example, the magnetizablematerial 502 may have a central portion (around which a coil 504 iswound), and flux directing portions 506 that concentrate or direct themagnetic flux into a position or orientation that is advantageous forattracting (or in some cases repelling) the ferromagnetic component 308.Other shapes and configurations for the magnetic material of aselectively magnetizable magnet system are also contemplated.

While the foregoing discussion relates primarily to techniques forretracting a keycap and maintaining the keycap in a retracted position,selectively magnetizable magnet systems may also be used to change theforce response of keys during actuation. For example, as described ingreater detail herein, selectively magnetizable magnet systems may beused to increase the force required to actuate a key by producing apersistent magnetic field that repels a permanent magnet incorporatedwith the keycap or the keycap support mechanism. As another example, amagnetizable material of a selectively magnetizable magnet system may bemagnetized so that it attracts a ferromagnetic component with enoughforce to reduce the actuation force of the key, but is not sufficientlystrong to overcome the biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and thusdoes not retain the keycap in the retracted position when the key ispressed. In these implementations, the selectively magnetizable magnetsystem may be magnetized during only a portion of a keystroke to shapethe force response of the key in varied ways.

The configurations of selectively magnetizable magnet systems describedabove facilitate the positioning of individual (or all) keys of akeyboard in different positions or operating states without requiring aconstant application of power. Instead of or in addition to theselectively magnetizable magnet systems, permanent magnets may be usedto produce similar results. For example, FIGS. 6A-6B are partialcross-sectional views of a keyboard that uses a movable permanent magnetinstead of the selectively magnetizable magnet systems described aboveto allow a key mechanism to operate in a normal operational mode (e.g.,where the key can be pressed down and then return to an unactuatedstate) and a retracted mode (e.g., where the key is maintained in aretracted state).

As shown in FIG. 6A, a key mechanism 601 may include a keycap 600 that,in an extended position, extends or protrudes above a key web 614. Likeother key mechanisms described herein, the keycap 600 may be movablysupported above a substrate or support structure (here a substrate 612)by a keycap support mechanism 607 that includes arms 602, 604. The keymechanism 601 also includes one or more ferromagnetic components 606incorporated with the keycap 600 or the keycap support mechanism 607. Asshown, the ferromagnetic component(s) 606 are connected to an arm 604 ofthe keycap support mechanism 607. The ferromagnetic component(s) 606 maybe the same or similar to the ferromagnetic component 308 discussedabove. For example, the ferromagnetic component(s) 606 may be aferromagnetic material that is substantially unmagnetized, or it may bea permanent magnet.

The key mechanism 601 may also include a permanent magnet 608 and anactuator 610. The actuator 610 may move the magnet 608 between a firstposition in which the magnet is separated from the ferromagneticcomponent 606 by a sufficient distance that the keycap 600 is allowed tomove between a retracted and an extended position. For example, in thefirst position, the magnetic attraction between the magnet 608 and theferromagnetic component 606 may be lower than a biasing force providedby a biasing mechanism (e.g., the collapsible dome 605), such that thekeycap will return to the extended position after being depressed.

FIG. 6B shows the key mechanism 601 after the actuator 610 has moved themagnet 608 into a second position. In the second position, the magneticfield from the magnet 608 attracts the ferromagnetic component 606 withsufficient force to retract the keycap 600 and maintain the keycap 600in the retracted position. In order to return the key to a normaloperating mode, the actuator 610 may move the magnet 608 back into thefirst position.

As shown, the actuator 610 is a linear actuator that can push and pullthe magnet 608 between the first and second positions. Where a keyboardincludes multiple key mechanisms, each key mechanism may be associatedwith its own actuator. In some cases, instead of using discrete linearactuators for each of multiple keys, the magnets of multiple keymechanisms may be attached to a linkage, shuttle, frame, or othermechanism that can move multiple magnets between first and secondpositions. In this way, all of the keys of a keyboard may be retractedsubstantially simultaneously. In such cases, the linkage, shuttle,frame, or other mechanism may be moved by a linear actuator (e.g., anelectronic component that converts electrical energy into motion), or bya purely mechanical system. For example, a shuttle may be mechanicallylinked to a display portion of a notebook computer (e.g., the displayportion 102, FIG. 1). When the display portion is moved to a closedposition, the shuttle may move the permanent magnets into a positionthat results in the retraction of the keycaps. When the display portionis moved to an open position, the shuttle may move the permanent magnetsinto a position that results in the keycaps being released from theretracted position. In another example, the shuttle may be manuallyactuated by a user by sliding a lever to cause the keys to retract orextend.

As noted above, in some cases, a selectively magnetizable magnet systemmay be used to attract a ferromagnetic component to retract a key, aswell as to repel a ferromagnetic component (e.g., a permanent magnet).Repelling a ferromagnetic component may be useful to provide or increasethe biasing force of a key mechanism, for example. Attractive andrepulsive forces may also be achieved with permanent magnets. FIGS.7A-7C are partial cross-sectional views of a keyboard that uses movablepermanent magnets to, in a first configuration, attract a ferromagneticcomponent and, in a second configuration, repel a ferromagneticcomponent.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a key mechanism 701 may include a keycap 700 that,in an extended position, extends or protrudes above a key web 714. Likeother key mechanisms described herein, the keycap 700 may be movablysupported above a substrate or support structure (here a substrate 712)by a keycap support mechanism 707 that includes arms 702, 704. Becausethe key mechanism 701 is configured to have magnetic forces applied inopposing directions (e.g., forcing the keycap 700 both down and up), thekey mechanism 701 also includes at least one first permanent magnet 706.In particular, the key mechanism may use a permanent magnet instead ofan unmagnetized ferromagnetic material. Accordingly, the permanentmagnet may be either repelled from or attracted to another magnet,depending on the relative polarities of the magnets. By contrast, anunmagnetized ferromagnetic material may not be able to be repelled byanother magnet, as it may be attracted to any magnetic field regardlessof the polarity of the magnetic field. The permanent magnet 706 may beincorporated with the keycap 700 or the keycap support mechanism 707. Asshown, it is connected to an arm 704 of the keycap support mechanism707.

The key mechanism 701 may also include a second permanent magnet 708having a particular polarity and a third permanent magnet 710 having anopposite polarity to the second permanent magnet 708. The second andthird magnets 708, 710 may be movable by an actuator 716 (as shown)between two or more positions. In a first position, the second permanentmagnet 708 may be proximate the first permanent magnet 706 such that thefirst permanent magnet 706 is repelled from the second permanent magnet708. The repulsion force may tend to force the keycap 700 towards theextended or unactuated position. The repulsion force may be used insteadof a mechanical biasing mechanism (e.g., spring, collapsible dome, etc.)to bias the keycap 700 towards the extended position. Alternatively, therepulsion force may be used in conjunction with a mechanical biasingmechanism to increase or modify the force required to actuate the key.

FIG. 7B shows the second and third magnets 708, 710 in an intermediateposition, where neither the second nor the third magnets 708, 710 are ina position to attract or repel the first permanent magnet 706. Thisposition may be used in cases where the key mechanism 701 includes amechanical biasing mechanism such as a spring or collapsible dome. Forexample, when the second and third magnets are in the intermediateposition, the key mechanism 701 may be substantially free of magneticinfluences and may operate in a normal operating mode with a normalforce response (e.g., unmodified by the magnets).

FIG. 7C shows the second and third magnets 708, 710 in a secondposition, where the third permanent magnet 710 is in a position relativeto the first permanent magnet 706 such that the first permanent magnet706 is attracted the third permanent magnet 710, and the secondpermanent magnet 708 is sufficiently remote from the first permanentmagnet 706 that it does not interfere with or overpower the attractiveforce between the first and third magnets 706, 710. In the secondposition, the third permanent magnet 710 may retract and maintain thekeycap 700 in the retracted position, as described herein.

Similar to the discussion with respect to FIGS. 6A-6B, the second andthird magnets 708, 710 may be moved by a shuttle, linkage, frame, orother mechanical system that may be actuated by the movement of adisplay portion, a lever, or another affordance.

FIG. 8 shows a force versus displacement plot 800 for a key mechanism,such as the key mechanism 701 in FIGS. 7A-7C. The force versusdisplacement plot 800 characterizes or represents the various forceresponses of the key mechanism 701, depending on the position of thesecond and third magnets 708, 710. For example, the curve 802 representsa force response of the key mechanism 701 when the second and thirdmagnets 708, 710 are in the intermediate position (FIG. 7B), and theprimary (or only) biasing force on the keycap 700 is due to a biasingmechanism (e.g., a spring or collapsible dome).

With respect to the curve 802, as an actuation force causes the keycap700 to move, the biasing mechanism (e.g., collapsible dome 705) beginsto deform and the force response of the key mechanism 701 increases frompoint 808 until a pressure point 810 is reached. The pressure point 810may correspond to a point at which a rapid deformation of the biasingmechanism begins (e.g., corresponding to a click that may be felt and/orheard by a user).

After the pressure point 810, the responsive force of the key mechanism701 decreases until the operating point 812 is reached. Under normaloperating conditions and forces, the operating point 812 may be at ornear a maximum travel of the keycap 700, and may correspond to the keyor the device with which the key is incorporated registering anactuation of the key. In some cases, the key or device registers anactuation of the key somewhere between the pressure point 810 and theoperating point 812.

The curve 806 represents a force response of the key mechanism 701 whenthe second permanent magnet 708 is repelling the first permanent magnet706. In particular, the repelling force experienced by the firstpermanent magnet 706 due to the opposing polarities of the firstpermanent magnet 706 and the second permanent magnet 708 increases theamount of force required to press the key to the actuated position.

The curve 804 represents yet another force response that may be possiblein some example key mechanisms. In particular, in some cases, a keymechanism may be configured to apply a retracting force to the keycapthat can reduce the force required to actuate a key, but which does notactually retract the keycap or maintain the keycap in a retracted ordepressed position even once the keycap is depressed by a user. Forexample, in the case of a key with a selectively magnetizable magnetsystem and a permanent magnet attached to the keycap support mechanismor the keycap, the magnetizable material of the selectively magnetizablemagnet system may be magnetized to produce a persistent field that isless than that which would retract and hold the key, but which stillopposes the biasing force from a biasing mechanism. This may also beachieved with two permanent magnets. For example, in the example shownin FIGS. 7A-7B, the key mechanism 701 may include a fourth magnet havingthe same polarity as the third permanent magnet 710 but with a weakermagnetic field. The weaker magnetic field may oppose the biasing forcefrom the biasing mechanism and thus lower the actuation force of thekey, as represented by the curve 804.

While the force response curves shown in FIG. 8 may be produced usingpermanent magnets, they may also be achieved using a selectivelymagnetizable magnet system, as described above. For example, bymagnetizing the magnetizable material of the selectively magnetizablemagnet system to produce persistent magnetic fields of differentstrengths, different force responses may be achieved, including thoseshown in FIG. 8, or others (including responses that are between thecurves shown).

Instead of or in addition to moving permanent magnets between variouspositions relative to a ferromagnetic component, similar results may beachieved by positioning a permanent magnet in a static position andmoving a shunt between various positions to change the strength,location, or concentration (or any other suitable property) of themagnetic field produced by the permanent magnet. FIGS. 9A-9B are partialcross-sectional views of a keyboard that uses a movable shunt (e.g., apiece of metal) to adjust the magnitude of the retraction force appliedto the keycap. As used herein, a “shunt” is a part or piece that directs(or redirects) a magnetic field. Put another way, a shunt channels amagnetic field; the magnetic field will extend further or differently inthe absence of the shunt. It should be appreciated that certain shuntsdescribed herein are movable, as mentioned above.

As shown in FIG. 9A, a key mechanism 901 may include a keycap 900 that,in an extended position, extends or protrudes above a key web 914. Likeother key mechanisms described herein, the keycap 900 may be movablysupported relative to (e.g., above) a substrate or support structure(here a substrate 912) by a keycap support mechanism 907 that includesarms 902, 904. The key mechanism 901 also includes a ferromagneticcomponent 906, which may be a non-magnetized ferromagnetic material(e.g., a soft magnetic material) or a permanent magnet (e.g., a hardmagnetic material), as described herein. The ferromagnetic component 906may be incorporated with the keycap 900 or the keycap support mechanism907. As shown, it is connected to an arm 904 of the keycap supportmechanism 907.

The key mechanism 901 may also include a permanent magnet 908 and amovable shunt 910. The movable shunt 910 may be movable by an actuator916 between a first position, shown in FIG. 9A, and a second position,shown in FIG. 9B. In the first position, the shunt 910 is positionedrelative to the permanent magnet 908 such that the magnetic field of thepermanent magnet 908 does not substantially interact with theferromagnetic component 906. Thus, the keycap 900 may be allowed to movebetween an extended and a retracted position (e.g., providing a normalkey operation), despite the proximity of the permanent magnet 908 to theferromagnetic component 906.

In the second position, as shown in FIG. 9B, the shunt 910 is in asecond position that is more distant from the permanent magnet 908, ascompared to the first position (e.g., the shunt is closer to thepermanent magnet in the first position than it is in the secondposition). When the shunt 910 is in the second position, the magneticfield of the permanent magnet 908 interacts with the ferromagneticcomponent 906 to retract the keycap 900 and/or maintain the keycap 900in the retracted position.

While the foregoing discussion describes various ways in which magnetsmay be moved between various discrete positions or a selectivelymagnetizable material may be magnetized to have various discrete fieldstrengths, the same or similar systems and techniques may be used toproduce a more continuous range of force responses. For example, insteadof simply sliding permanent magnets or shunts between two discretepositions (as described with respect to FIGS. 6A-7C and 9A-9B), thepermanent magnets or shunts may be positionable at various positionsbetween the terminal positions described above. Similarly, amagnetizable material may be magnetized to produce persistent magneticfields of various strengths. Such variability may allow more granularadjustments of the force response of keys or other input mechanisms,including reducing or increasing the force required to actuate a key inaddition to retracting the key and maintaining the key in a retractedposition.

In some cases, instead of or in addition to magnetic key retractionsystems and techniques, input devices may use piezoelectric actuators toselectively retract actuation members. For example, FIGS. 10A-10B arepartial cross-sectional views of a keyboard that uses a piezoelectricactuator attached to a keycap to retract the keycap under certainoperating conditions or modes.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a key mechanism 1001 may include a keycap 1000that, in an extended position, extends or protrudes above a key web1014. Like other key mechanisms described herein, the keycap 1000 may bemovably supported relative to (e.g., above) a substrate or supportstructure (here a substrate 1012) by a keycap support mechanism 1007,similar to other keycap support mechanisms described herein.

The key mechanism 1001 also includes a piezoelectric actuator 1016attached to the keycap 1000. The piezoelectric actuator 1016 may be anysuitable piezoelectric component that can bend, flex, or otherwisedeform or deflect to apply a retraction force to the keycap 1000. Insome cases, the piezoelectric actuator 1016 may include a piezoelectricmaterial applied to a beam, spring, or other structural component. Inother cases, the piezoelectric actuator 1016 is a monolithicpiezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material may be attached orapplied to any portion of the structural component (e.g., a beam orspring) of the piezoelectric actuator 1016. For example, thepiezoelectric material may be positioned along an entire length of thestructural component, or only over a lesser portion of the structuralcomponent (e.g., at or near the middle of the structural component andnot under the portions attached to the key web and keycap).

The piezoelectric actuator 1016 may be attached to the keycap 1000 inany suitable way. For example, a surface at a distal end 1011 may beadhered, bonded, fastened, or otherwise fixed to the keycap 1000, asshown in FIGS. 10A-10B. As another example, it may be pivotally coupledto the keycap 1000. Pivotally coupling the piezoelectric actuator 1016to the keycap may allow for a greater deflection of the keycap 1000 thanadhesion or other fixed mountings, as the piezoelectric actuator 1016(and/or an associated beam, spring, or other structural component) maynot need to bend or flex in as many directions, or may have larger bendradii (and thus may be less resistant to bending).

The piezoelectric actuator 1016 may be connected to a voltage source.When a first voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator 1016 (orwhen no voltage is applied), the actuator 1016 may have one shape, andwhen a second voltage (which may be nonzero and different from the firstvoltage) is applied, the actuator 1016 may have a different shape. Thedifference in the shapes of the piezoelectric actuator 1016 withdifferent voltages may be leveraged to move the keycap 1000 between aretracted position and an extended position.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the keycap 1000 is in an extended position, andmay be free to move between the extended position and the retractedposition (e.g., providing a normal key operation). The piezoelectricactuator 1016 may be connected to the key web 1014 (or any othersuitable portion of a keyboard or other input device) as well as thekeycap 1000. As such, the piezoelectric actuator 1016 may besufficiently flexible, that when the first voltage (or no voltage) isapplied the keycap 1000 may move between the extended and retractedpositions without substantial interference or biasing force from thepiezoelectric actuator 1016. In some cases, however, the piezoelectricactuator 1016 provides a biasing force to the keycap 1000 when the firstvoltage (or no voltage) is applied to the piezoelectric actuator 1016.In such cases, the key mechanism 1001 may use a collapsible dome thatprovides less biasing force (as compared to a key mechanism without thepiezoelectric actuator 1016), so that the combination of the biasingforce from the piezoelectric actuator 1016 and the collapsible dome aresubstantially similar to a typical key mechanism. In some cases, the keymechanism 1001 may rely only on the biasing force provided by thepiezoelectric actuator 1016.

FIG. 10B shows the key mechanism 1001 when the keycap 1000 is in aretracted position. In this state, the second voltage may be applied tothe piezoelectric actuator 1016 to cause the actuator 1016 to deform ordeflect downwards, thus retracting the keycap 1000 and retaining thekeycap 1000 in the retracted position. In some cases, the piezoelectricactuator 1016 is bistable, such that it can remain in the secondorientation (FIG. 10B) without a continuous application of electricalpower.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict partial cross-sectional views of another keyboardthat uses a piezoelectric actuator to retract the keycap under certainoperating conditions or modes. While the key mechanism 1001 shown inFIGS. 10A-10B has a piezoelectric actuator attached to a keycap and akey web to directly force the keycap into the retracted position, thekey mechanism 1101 shown in FIGS. 11A-11B positions a piezoelectricactuator below the keycap support mechanism to move the keycap betweenthe retracted (e.g., storage) and extended (e.g., operational)positions.

As shown in FIG. 11A, a key mechanism 1101 may include a keycap 1100that, in an extended position, extends or protrudes above a key web1114. Like other key mechanisms described herein, the keycap 1100 may bemovably supported relative to (e.g., above) a substrate or supportstructure (here a substrate 1112) by a keycap support mechanism 1107,similar to other keycap support mechanism described herein.

The key mechanism 1101 also includes a piezoelectric actuator 1116attached to a substrate 1112. The substrate 1112 may be formed from anysuitable material (e.g., glass, metal, plastic, etc.) and may include acontoured region on which a key support 1111 may be attached. The keysupport 1111 may be a printed circuit board, having similar structuraland electrical functions as the substrate 303 described above. Further,the keycap support mechanism 1107 may be coupled directly to the keysupport 1111, or via a support body (e.g., similar to the support body309, described above). The key support 1111 may be electricallyinterconnected to other components of a device (e.g., a processor, keysupports of other keys, etc.) via flex circuits, wires, or any othersuitable connection technique. Accordingly, multiple key supports ofmultiple key mechanisms may be electrically interconnected or otherwisecooperate to provide a keyboard system with multiple keys.

The contoured region may be bistable, having both a convex configuration(FIG. 11A) and a concave configuration (FIG. 11B). Because of thebistability, the contoured region may remain in one configuration (e.g.,the concave or convex configuration) until an external force or impetusis provided to move the contoured region into the other configuration.

The piezoelectric actuator 1116 may be configured to provide the impetusto the contoured region to change the contoured region from the convexto the concave position (and vice versa). For example, when a firstvoltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator 1116, the actuator 1116may deform in a way that transitions the contoured region from theconvex configuration to the concave configuration. When the firstvoltage is removed, the contoured region may remain in the concaveconfiguration without continued application of voltage. When a secondvoltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator 1116, the actuator 1116may deform in a way that transitions the contoured region from theconcave configuration to the convex configuration. When the secondvoltage is removed, the contoured region may remain in the convexconfiguration without continued application of voltage.

When the contoured region is in the concave configuration (FIG. 11B),the top surface of the keycap 1100 may be substantially flush withrespect to the key web 1114 (or otherwise retracted relative to theposition of the keycap 1100 when the contoured region is in the convexconfiguration). Moreover, because the keycap 1100 is not held in thedepressed position when the keycap 1100 is retracted (e.g., acollapsible dome or other switch mechanism is not in an “actuated”state), the key mechanism 1101 may be fully operable even when thekeycap 1100 is retracted from its normal operating position (e.g., itsextended position). A bistable substrate such as that shown in FIGS.11A-11B may also be implemented with any of the magnetic actuationtechniques described above. For example, a permanent magnet may beattached to the contoured region, and a selectively magnetizable magnetsystem or one or more additional permanent magnets may be used to forcethe contoured region to transition between the convex and concaveconfigurations.

Like the piezoelectric actuator 1016, the piezoelectric actuator 1116may be any suitable piezoelectric component that can bend, flex, orotherwise deform or deflect to invert the contoured region. Thepiezoelectric actuator 1116 may be connected to a voltage source. When afirst voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator 1116, thepiezoelectric actuator 1116 may cause the contoured region to changefrom a convex configuration to a concave configuration. When a secondvoltage (different from the first voltage) is applied, the piezoelectricactuator 1116 may cause the contoured region to change from a concaveconfiguration to a convex configuration.

While the foregoing examples show individual instances of keymechanisms, it will be understood that a keyboard may include multiplekey mechanisms each having the same or similar configurations. In somecases, all of the keys of a keyboard may have one or another of themechanisms described herein. In other cases, only a subset of the keysof a keyboard may include mechanisms for selectively retracting thekeys.

The foregoing examples relate primarily to keys for keyboards, similarsystems and techniques may be used to provide selective retractabilityto other types of input devices and for other types of electronicdevices. For example, FIGS. 12A-12B show an example input device of ahandheld electronic device that uses a selectively magnetizable magnetsystem to allow an actuation member to operate in multiple modes ofoperation, as described herein.

FIG. 12A depicts an example electronic device 1200 that may include aninput device with a retractable actuation member. The electronic device1200 is depicted as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), though this ismerely one example electronic device that may incorporate an inputdevice (e.g., button) with a retractable actuation member as describedherein.

The electronic device 1200 includes an enclosure 1202 and a cover 1210.The cover 1210 may be a glass, plastic, ceramic, or other substantiallytransparent material, component, or assembly, attached to the enclosure1202. The enclosure 1202 may include a back and sides that cooperate toat least partially define an interior volume of the device 1200, and maybe formed of glass, metal, carbon fiber, ceramic, or any other suitablematerial.

The cover 1210 may cover or otherwise overlie a display 1204 and/or atouch sensitive surface (e.g., a touchscreen), and may define a frontface and an input surface of the electronic device 1200. For example, auser may operate the device 1200 by touching the input surface to selectaffordances displayed on the display 1204 (e.g., icons, virtual keys,etc.). The electronic device 1200 may also include an input device 1206.The input device 1206 may be used to control an operation of the device1200 or otherwise cause the device 1200 to perform various functions.The input device 1206 (or an actuation member of the input device 1206)may be selectively retractable, similar to the keys described withrespect to the foregoing figures. For example, an actuation member ofthe input device 1206 may be configured to protrude from the cover 1210when the device is in use, and to be retracted (e.g., flush with thecover 1210) when the device is not in use.

FIG. 12B is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device1200, viewed along line C-C in FIG. 12A, showing details of the inputdevice 1206. In particular, the input device 1206 includes an actuationmember 1208 (e.g., a push-button actuator) that extends above a surfaceof the cover 1210. The actuation member 1208 may have flanges or otherfeatures that retain the actuation member 1208 in the opening and definethe distance that the actuation member 1208 can extend beyond or abovethe surface of the cover 1210.

The input device 1206 may also include a collapsible dome 1212, whichmay provide a biasing force to bias the actuation member 1208 towards anunactuated position. The collapsible dome 1212 may also provideelectrical switching functionality to allow the device 1200 to detectwhen the actuation member 1208 has been pressed, and to cause the device1200 to take an action or perform a function. While the input device1206 is shown with a collapsible dome 1212, other biasing mechanisms mayalso be used, such as coil springs, flat springs, elastomeric members,or the like. The collapsible dome 1212 may rest on a support structure1214, which may provide a suitably rigid support to allow thecollapsible dome 1212 to bias the actuation member 1208 toward theunactuated position and to allow the collapsible dome 1212 to becollapsed or deformed between the actuation member 1208 and the supportstructure 1214 when the actuation member 1208 is pressed. The supportstructure 1214 may be any component, structure, substrate, or the like.For example, the support structure 1214 may be a printed circuit board,a metal plate, a plastic plate, or the like.

The input device 1206 may also include a ferromagnetic component 1218incorporated with the actuation member 1208. The ferromagnetic component1218 may be similar to any of the ferromagnetic components describedabove. For example, the ferromagnetic component 1218 may be anon-magnetized ferromagnetic material, or a permanent magnet. As shown,the ferromagnetic component 1218 is attached to the actuation member1208 via any suitable technique, such as adhesives, mechanicalretainers, encapsulation (e.g., insert molding), or the like. In somecases, however, the ferromagnetic component 1218 is incorporated with orattached to another structure or component of the input device 1206,such as any structure or component that will produce a desiredretraction force on the actuation member 1208 when the ferromagneticcomponent 1218 is influenced by a magnetic field.

The input device 1206 also includes a selectively magnetizable magnetsystem 1216 positioned relative to the ferromagnetic component 1218 toattract (or repel) the ferromagnetic component 1218 when magnetized. Theselectively magnetizable magnet system 1216 may be the same orsubstantially similar to the selectively magnetizable magnet systemsdiscussed above with respect to FIGS. 3A-5B, and may be coupled to thesupport structure 1214 (or any other structure or component of thedevice 1200) below the ferromagnetic component 1218.

Like the selectively magnetizable magnet systems discussed above, theselectively magnetizable magnet system 1216 may be configured to operatein several modes. For example, in a first mode, the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 1216 may allow the actuation member 1208 tomove between an extended position (FIG. 12B) and a retracted position.For example, the actuation member 1208 may act as a button that can bedepressed by a user, and then return to its unactuated state. In thismode, the magnetizable material of the selectively magnetizable magnetsystem 1216 may be substantially unmagnetized and produce little to nomagnetic field, or a magnetic field that is small enough not tointerfere substantially with the function and feel of the input device1206.

In a second mode, the magnetizable material of the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 1216 may be magnetized to magneticallyattract the ferromagnetic component 1218 and retract the actuationmember 1208 into the retracted position, and maintain the actuationmember 1208 in the retracted position. For example, the magneticmaterial of the selectively magnetizable magnet system 1216 may bemagnetized to magnetically attract the ferromagnetic component 1218 withsufficient force to overcome the biasing force of the dome 1212 (or anybiasing mechanism associated with the actuation member 1208) and pullthe actuation member 1208 into the retracted position. FIG. 12B showsthe magnetizable material of the selectively magnetizable magnet system1216 having been magnetized to retract the actuation member 1208.

The foregoing modes of operation of the input device 1206 may beactivated in response to the detection of particular states of thedevice 1200. For example, the actuation member 1208 may be extended(e.g., in a normal operating mode) when the device 1200 determines thatit is in use or about to be used. This may be determined in any suitableway, such as with touch sensors, accelerometers, motion sensors, lightsensors, or the like. For example, the device 1200 may determine, basedon one or more sensor inputs, that the device 1200 is being held by auser. In such cases, the device 1200 may cause the selectivelymagnetizable magnet system 1216 to operate in the first mode, therebyextending the actuation member 1208. If the device 1200 determines thatit is not being held by a user (e.g., it is resting on a desk, on adocking station, in a pocket or purse, or the like), or is otherwiseinactive, it may cause the selectively magnetizable magnet system 1216to operate in the second mode, retracting the actuation member 1208 sothat it is flush with or recessed relative to the cover 1210 (orotherwise extends less than in the first mode). This may help preventthe actuation member 1208 from catching or snagging on objects and mayhelp prevent damage to the actuation member 1208 when the device is notin use, while still providing an easily detectable tactile buttonsurface for users when the device is in use.

While FIGS. 12B-12C describe a selectively magnetizable magnet systemhaving two discrete modes of operation, other magnet configurations andmodes of operation are also possible. For example, the device 1200 mayuse movable permanent magnets and/or shunts to allow the actuationmember 1208 to operate in the modes described above (e.g., an operatingmode and a retracted mode). Movable permanent magnets and shunts aredescribed above. Similarly, instead of two discrete modes, theselectively magnetizable magnet system 1216, or movable permanentmagnets if used, may be used to produce a range of different forces onthe actuation member 1208, as described above.

Instead of or in addition to using magnetic attraction (and optionallyrepulsion), other techniques may be used to manipulate the height ofkeycaps or other actuation members. For example, as noted above, keycapsmay be retracted in response to the rotation of a display relative to abase portion of a notebook computer (e.g., when the notebook computer isbeing closed). Accordingly, in some cases a mechanical shuttle, linkage,frame, or other mechanism mechanically couples the keycaps (or othersuitable components of the key mechanisms) to the display portion. Thus,when the display portion is rotated towards the closed position, thekeycaps may be mechanically forced to the retracted position. When thedisplay portion is rotated towards the open position, the keycaps may bereturned to the extended position. In another example, instead ofmechanically linking the keycaps to the display portion, they are linkedto a mechanical switch or other affordance that a user can manuallymanipulate to change the mode of the keyboard (e.g., to retract orextend the keys).

In yet other examples, key mechanisms or other input devices may includemechanical detents or latches that allow a user to manually retract orextend keys or input devices. For example, the key mechanism may includemechanical latches that are activated when a user forces the keycapsinto a recessed position. More particularly, the key mechanisms (or anyinput device) may be configured so that when subjected to forces lowerthan a particular threshold (e.g., representative of typical typing oractuation), the keycap or other actuation member returns to an extendedposition after actuation. When subjected to forces above the particularthreshold (e.g., representative of a force above a typical typing oractuation force), the latch or detent may be engaged to maintain thekeycap or other actuation member in a recessed position. In some cases,latches or detents may be engaged by other forces or influences than auser manually pressing the keycap or actuation member. For example,electromechanical actuators may be used to retract the keys and/orengage the latches or detents.

The foregoing discussion shows retraction systems and techniques forretracting individual keys, buttons, and other input devices. As notedabove, multiple of such input devices may be provided in a singleelectronic device, such as a keyboard that includes multiple keys thatcan be selectively retracted or extended, or a handheld electronicdevice (e.g., smartphone) with multiple selectively retractable buttons.As such, the input devices may be operated together or independently toprovide different functionalities. FIGS. 13B-13C illustrate example usecases of the keyboard 108 (FIG. 1) where the keys need not be uniformlyin the same mode or position.

FIG. 13A shows the keyboard 108 with all keys 1300 in a normal operatingmode. For example, all of the keys 1300 are shown in an extendedposition, which may signify to a user that all keys 1300 are active andare capable of accepting inputs. This may correspond to a typicaloperating mode for a keyboard, in which a user may depress any of thekeys of the keyboard.

FIG. 13B shows the keyboard 108 in a state where only those of the keys1300 that are currently able to accept inputs (or for which an actuationwill result in the device associated with the keyboard 108 taking anaction or performing a function) are extended or in a normal mode ofoperation. For example, FIG. 13B shows the W, A, S, and D letter keys,as well as the arrow keys, in a normal operating mode, while all otherkeys are in a retracted mode. The extended keys may correspond to keysthat are active when an associated computer is in a gaming mode andthese keys are the only keys to which the game will respond. Of course,other modes, applications, or functions may use other key combinations.For example, when an associated device is executing a word processingapplication, all the letter keys may be extended while other keys (e.g.,function keys) are retracted. When the device is executing a calculatorapplication, only the number keys may be extended. Other subsets of thekeys may also be extended (and others retracted) as well.

FIG. 13C shows the keyboard 108 being used to teach or guide a user toparticular keys. For example, in FIG. 13C, the L, E, A, R, and N keysare extended, which may help guide a user to learn where the letters forthe word “learn” are located. While FIG. 13C shows the L, E, A, R, and Nkeys extended, these keys may be sequentially extended (with all otherkeys being retracted) to teach a user what keys to select to producecertain results. More particularly, in order to teach a user how tospell or type the word “learn,” the keyboard may first extend only the Lkey. Once the user selects the L key, it may remain in the retractedposition, and the E key may be extended (e.g., placed in a normaloperating mode). This may continue until the word is completed or theparticular pattern is otherwise finished. Similar techniques may be usedfor training or guiding functions other than teaching typing orspelling. For example, if a dialog box appears on a screen, the keyboardmay retract all keys except those that can be used to deal with thedialog box. In another example, where the magnetic key retraction systemis capable of producing different force responses for the keys, somekeys may be made more difficult to actuate while others may haverelatively lower force responses. In this way, users can be guidedtowards certain keys (e.g., those corresponding to a word beinglearned), while mistaken or incorrect key selections can be discouragedor prevented.

When keys or key mechanisms are retracted by a key retraction mechanism,such as any of the key retraction mechanisms described herein, theswitching functions of those keys may be disabled. In particular, whenkeycaps are selectively retracted using a magnetic or piezoelectricretraction technique, as described herein, actuation signals or otherphenomena indicative of a key being depressed may be ignored, and keyfunctions associated with that key may be not performed. For example, ina normal operating mode (e.g., when a keycap is allowed to move betweenan extended and a retracted position), depressing a keycap may cause acollapsible dome to collapse, thereby closing an electrical circuit andcausing a device (if it is on and accepting inputs) to take some actionor perform a function. When keycaps are to be retracted, for example forstorage or to direct users to other keys, the device may be configuredto not perform a function that may otherwise be caused by actuation ofthat key. In this way, the selective retraction of keys will not causethe device to perform unexpected or unintended actions.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the describedembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe specific details are not required in order to practice the describedembodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specificembodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustrationand description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations arepossible in view of the above teachings. For example, while the methodsor processes disclosed herein have been described and shown withreference to particular operations performed in a particular order,these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to formequivalent methods or processes without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure. Moreover, structures, features, components,materials, steps, processes, or the like, that are described herein withrespect to one embodiment may be omitted from that embodiment orincorporated into other embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: an enclosure; and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure and comprising: a substrate; and a key mechanism comprising: a keycap support mechanism comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first and second arms being pivotally coupled to each other, the first arm being formed of a ferromagnetic material; a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism; and a selectively magnetizable magnet system, comprising: a magnetizable material; and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, when the magnetizable material is magnetized, the magnetizable material produces a persistent magnetic field that is maintained without a continuous application of electrical power to the coil.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein: the persistent magnetic field is a first persistent magnetic field having a first polarity; the magnetizable material is magnetizable to produce, in a first mode, the first persistent magnetic field and, in a second mode, a second persistent magnetic field having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; and the ferromagnetic material is a permanent magnet having a third persistent magnetic field that is attracted to the first persistent magnetic field and repelled from the second persistent magnetic field.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the selectively magnetizable magnet system further comprises first and second pole pieces positioned at opposite ends of the magnetizable material.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the key mechanism is a first key mechanism; the keyboard further comprises a second key mechanism; and the second key mechanism comprises: an additional keycap; an additional keycap support mechanism movably supporting the additional keycap relative to the substrate; an additional ferromagnetic component attached to the additional keycap support mechanism; and an additional selectively magnetizable magnet system, comprising: an additional magnetizable material; and an additional coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the additional magnetizable material.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second arm comprises a second ferromagnetic material.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the first and second arms comprise permanent magnets.
 8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the first and second arms comprise different polarities relative to each other.
 9. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the first and second arms comprise different magnetic strengths relative to each other.
 10. An input device, comprising: a support structure; an actuation member movable between an extended position with respect to the support structure and a retracted position with respect to the support structure; a collapsible dome configured to bias the actuation member to the extended position; a support mechanism supporting the actuation member above the support structure, the support mechanism comprising a first structure having a first ferromagnetic material and a second structure having a second ferromagnetic material; and a selectively magnetizable magnet system configured to: in a first mode, produce a persistent magnetic field that magnetically attracts the ferromagnetic material, thereby retracting the actuation member to the retracted position; and in a second mode, allow the actuation member to move from the retracted position to the extended position.
 11. The input device of claim 10, wherein the selectively magnetizable magnet system comprises: a magnetizable material; and a coil configured to, in the first mode, magnetize the magnetizable material to produce the persistent magnetic field.
 12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the coil is configured to, in the second mode, substantially demagnetize the magnetizable material.
 13. The input device of claim 11, wherein: the ferromagnetic material is a permanent magnet; the persistent magnetic field is a first persistent magnetic field having a first polarity configured to attract the permanent magnet; and the coil is configured to, in the second mode, magnetize the magnetizable material to produce a second persistent magnetic field configured to repel the permanent magnet.
 14. The input device of claim 13, wherein the first persistent magnetic field and the second persistent magnetic fields are maintained without a continuous application of electrical power to the selectively magnetizable magnet system.
 15. The input device of claim 11, wherein the magnetizable material is an aluminum nickel cobalt iron material or a chromium cobalt iron material.
 16. The input device of claim 10, wherein: the collapsible dome is collapsible in response to an actuation force applied to the actuation member, thereby closing an electrical circuit to signal actuation of the input device.
 17. The input device of claim 10, wherein the first structure is pivotally connected to the second structure, the first structure being entirely formed of the first ferromagnetic material. 